With over 300 exhibitors, a 21% growth in event space over 2010, some 300 Hosted Buyers (25% increase over last year), plus more than 5500 Pre-Scheduled Appointments, and an increase in the number of Professional Education Seminars, CIBTM 2011 is following the trend of growth for the MICE sector in the region and will be the largest event of its kind since the launch in 2005.

Highlights from this year’s event, which takes place from 30th August – 1st September, include 14 domestic tourism boards who will participate as exhibitors this year, as the sector recognises the economic impact of the MICE industry.  Beijing joins Shanghai, Yunnan, Hangzhou, Gansu, Sanya, Xiamen, Tianjin, Quijiang, Haidian, Dongcheng, Pinggu, Changping, Xicheng.

With over 20 new exhibitors from China, including hotels, tourism bureaus, DMC’s, agency’s and other services to the MICE sector, participants include the Pangu 7 Star Hotel,  Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, Haidian District Tourism Bureau,  Mission Hills China, Ocean Spring Resort, Tianjin Saint Light Investment & Development Co, Xia Men Convention & Exhibition Association, Hertz China , CYTS International Travel Co, New Century Hotel & Resort, Hangzhou Tourism Committee and Grand Bay View Hotel.
A number of new international companies have also committed to attending this year including Tourism Australia, Scandinavia Tourism Board, and Geneva Tourism & Conventions they join companies including ,Others include Langham Hotels, Carlson Hotels, Meet Taiwan, Silversea Cruises, Millenium Hotels.  South African Tourism, Sicilia Convention Bureau, Tourism Ireland,  Government of Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Thailand Convention Bureau, View the full list of exhibitors at www.cibtm.com.

The number of Chinese Hosted Buyers in attendance is set to increase and represent the MICE sector from many of the key cities in the Republic including Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi’an, Dablian, Xiamen, Changsha, Nanjing, Zhengzhou, Qingdo and Beijing and Hong Kong.  Internationally Hosted Buyers will come from 16 countries including France, Germany, Spain, UK, Russia, UAE, USA, Singapore, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam.

Once again the annual China and Asia Meetings Industry Report will be presented on the first day of CIBTM acting as the barometer for the sector and the impact this part of the world has both now and in the future for the sector. 

“There is no doubt that China’s meetings industry has huge potential with predictions that the sector is a $150 billion market with annual growth of 20% (HelmsBriscoe April 2011).  This year’s event is clearly following the trend of growth.  The impact that CIBTM will have on both inbound and outbound MICE business will clearly establish it as the annual business forum.  It is also the only event endorsed and supported by the China National Tourism Organisation (CNTO). 

“Our goal once again, is to help connect the China meetings market with the rest of Asia and the world. The huge success of last year’s professional education programme is expected to attract huge numbers as the thirst for industry knowledge and information grows.  We will bring the very latest international, regional and local topics and debates from world case speakers helping the delegates to develop their careers in this sector through up to the minute news, topics and trends.”  Says Jeffrey Xu, CIBTM Project Manager.